Lateral Loads on Pin Piles (Micropiles)

Due to the small diameters, Pin Piles, generically known as micropiles, are often considered to have little to no lateral capacity. This paper focuses on lateral load performance and design of Pin Piles. The intent is to demonstrate that micropiles and micropile groups can be designed to support lateral loads and provide options and considerations for lateral load design. The results of lateral load tests are compared to the predictions using various available methods. Design considerations of combined stresses, options for increasing lateral resistance, and analysis for battered piles are then discussed. The authors conclude that micropile foundations can be and have been designed to carry substantial lateral loads. The loads can be resisted by the lateral load resistance of the micropile and/or by battering the piles. In either case, the micropiles must be designed for the resulting combined stresses, often resulting in the need to include casing near the top of the pile for bending strength. The tests and analyses, as well as the relevant literature, show that the lateral load performance is very sensitive to the soil type and shear strength in the upper 2 to 5 meters of the pile. The authors recommend that this zone be well sampled and characterized in subsurface investigations for any projects expecting deep foundations.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0784407134
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full conference proceedings available on CD-ROM.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Rothbauer, Mark J
  • Richards Jr, Thomas D
• Conference:
  • GeoSupport 2004: Innovation and Cooperation in the Geo-Industry
  • Location: Orlando Florida, United States
  • Date: 2004-1-29 to 2004-1-31
• Publication Date: 2004

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 158-174
• Monograph Title: GeoSupport 2004. Drilled Shafts, Micropiling, Deep Mixing, Remedial Methods, and Specialty Foundation Systems

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Design load; Flexural strength; Load tests; Pile foundations; Support piles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Lateral loads; Micropiles; Pin piles
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01000138
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0784407134
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 9 2005 9:46AM